Prep Boys Hoops: Steals, 3s carry Auburn to sectional victory

ELGIN — This was not Auburn’s preferred style. The Knights made more 3-pointers than two-pointers, got few fastbreak baskets off of turnovers and made only 8 of 19 free throws.

And yet No. 10-ranked Auburn easily beat Huntley 61-49 Tuesday in the semifinals of the Class 4A Elgin Sectional to advance to Friday’s finals against the winner of tonight’s South Elgin-Algonquin Jacobs game.

“It’s survival this time of the year, so we’re going to take the 12-point win,” coach Bryan Ott said. “Whether it’s 12 or 5 or 20, it doesn’t make any difference as long as we’re advancing.”

Zayvious Hoover (12 points) gave Auburn the lead for good at 5-2 with the first of his four 3-pointers, but the Knights led only 14-7 after one quarter despite forcing nine turnovers. It was 25-18 at the half, but Auburn (26-5) had turned 15 Huntley turnovers into only one fastbreak basket.

Still, Huntley (21-8) never got closer that five points in the second half and trailed by as much as 57-40 despite one of Auburn’s leading scorers, Antoine Pittman, going scoreless the first three quarters.

Auburn cruised because it forced 22 turnovers and shot 11-for-23 on 3-pointers.

“We shot the 3 amazingly,” center Malik Minor (10 points) said. “We have so many guys in our starting lineup and off the bench that can shoot it from long range. That’s a big part of our success.”

Sometimes the Knights’ act as if it’s too much.

“Shot selection is an ongoing thing. ... We talk and talk and talk and talk about getting it inside,” Ott said.

Amanze Egekeze, a 6-foot-8 Belmont recruit who had 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots, was a big reason why Auburn had only six two-point baskets the first three quarters and 10 for the game. Still, Ott wanted to go inside more. But it was no fluke that Hoover, Laytwan Porter (12 points), Nylek Cobb (10), Minor, Jarquell Parker and Alonte Bjorlie combined for 11 3-pointers.